Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-03-31
SHIRLEY CARSTONE.
By ELIZA ARcHARD.
copyrighted by the American Press ASsociation.l
CHAPTER TX.
FALLEN FORTUNES.

making its way out Of the stone house chin
ney, like boy sent TO school against his will.
A year has passed since the close of the
last chapter Not much had happened 10 our
people in that year. Yet it had been enough
to change the destiny of some Of them for
life. 1t had brought poverty TO the stone
house. The death of Col Carstone re-
vealed the fact that the friend who had in
vested his fortune for him had been false to
the trust Not enough remained to give
bread to the children.
Shirley was the head of the family. From
her mother down to the 3-year-old Harry
all leaned upon her, and looked to her to tell
them what to do next.
What thenl Shirley's soul had been full
to overflowing of her own thoughts and hopes
Now she put her own thoughts and hopes
in a corner and began to think and hope for
other people.
The false friends investments had swal-
lowed nearly ALL Even the mill and the
farm had to go. Interest had been paid regu-
larly during the Colonel's lifetime, so that he
had no knowledge of the state his affairs
were in. There were debts in many direc-
lions too. The old family lawyer was able to
Keep only the stone house for the Carstones
A. hSofJ NSO1 huAb ONtl cNcll IudI. 10lS
was the condition of things.
Somebody had to go to work.
swell, said Katy Tringle, the old maid,
who always carried q black basket with O
happing lid on each side, "them Carstone
young ones amt no better than other folks
children! l reckon they'll find out worllin'
folks victuals amt all white bread now.
They'll have to break up Them biggest
ones is old enough to do chores for their
board"
Must the family in the stone house be scat
tered9 1t was enough to make the genera
tions of Carstones that had been born
and lived and died there turn over in their
graves.
Shirley was q dreamer, and intensely i'm.
aginative. This is to be remembered in trac-
ing the change her life took on at this time,
and the history Of it afterward. The story
of lofty ideas and heroic action made always
an impression on her mind that held like iron.
Beyond doubt the poetry, the history and
drama that George Morrison read to her had
much to do with shaping her life Following
Sages and martyrs gone before, she climbed
the heights of generous and daring thought,
murmuring ever more to her own soul,
"Such thoughts will think too" Did she
hear of great and noble deed, her heart
throbbed quicker and hcr eyes grew dewy
with sympathy, and she unconsciously said,
"Such deeds l, too, will do when the time
comes"
Nay, she went step farther, pondering as
she did still the old question sho had asked
her papa in childhood, "Has girl as much
sense Us boy? She answered it to herself as
che p1Iat. oIyip tLo
conclusion of unspoiled girlhood, "What
strong, heroic men have done, strong, heroic
women can do.
She had said sho would be wise and stead
fast when the time came that demanded
strength and wisdom. Was the time ripe9
She had dreamed of shining occasion for
heroism, Was it to come now in this sorrow
full wholly unlocked for way? Above all,
and after all her dreams, was it in such poor,
commonplace guise that her occasion pre-
sented itself at last? That was the most dis
heartening of anything. All who are young,
aspiring and human must have felt the same
She did not doubt her own powers She had
the faith in herself that comes of a conscious
ness of strength. 1t was not vanity. 1t was
something very different. The two wisest
men she knew had had infinite faith in her,
and had infinite belief in the strength of a
good woman. They were her father and her
teacher In these days of trial her mind ran
continually OH that beloved teacher, the
things he had told her, the brave, sweet wis
dom he had spoken.
Out of the beautiful past his voice said to
her now:
"Reconcile yourself to the inevitable.
"a really great soul is great also in little
things If it is not to be our lot to fill grand
requirements, we may at least fill small re-
quirements in q grand way If ever there
comes clashing of forces in your mind, Shir-
ley, SO that you cannot seem to know what
is best, remember this: Do the duty that lies
nearest you. That will surely lead you into
the light. And never lose courage-neyer
give up!"
The sorrowful winter crept by with leaden
feet 1t required all Shrley's time and facul-
ties to get the tangled thread of the Carstone
fortunes Strengthened ort A new trouble
faced her, one that she had least of all ex-
pected Her mother gradually sank into "a
confirmed invalid 1t was worse than that.
1t was about as bad as it could be- in fact.
She became a hypochondriac Shirley's
mother was not one of the Carstone sort. She
was of the million and one members of the
female sex who are put in to fill up, of whom
we say she is q good, sweet woman, and dis
miss them. She was one of the amiable
creatures for whose ladylike ailments the doc
tors prescribe goats whey and gentle exer-
else. Their ailments are always ladylke. In
brief, she was one Of the women who stay
where they arc put. They are amiable Yes.
But how very uninteresting During her
husbands lifetime, his strong character and
high spirits had borne Mrs. Carstone beyond
herself Like the moon, she had shone by
reflected light. Doubtless that is quito the
proper thing for wives to do But it is rather
inconvenient when the light is withdrawn.
Then they are merely dark body in the
way.
Her husband dead, she sank to her level.
His death and the manner of it were q fright
full shock to her. A strong character would
have rallied. She never tried to do SO, but
simply hung upon Shirley in querulous
way She weighted Shirley down and irri-
tated her at the same time.
She was fair to see, this pretty invalid
mamma.
Land sake" said little Mis- Simpkins, "she
don't look no older than Shirley, layin'
around there on sofys in her white cashmere
gowns trimmed with blue silk that has to be
ripped off every time the gown is washed.
Her skin is as soft and white as baby's, that
it Is! and them red cheeks of hern is the pict-
ure of health. She amt no more sick nor
am. She's as fat as hen OH a corn pile
She could get right up offn that there sofy